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Now that you know what’s included, let’s look at the things that you should definitely not expect your home inspection to cover. A home inspection will look at whether windows and exterior doors open and latch properly, as well as whether there is any broken glass. A certain number of three-pronged outlets is mandatory in each room, though this guideline varies from city to city. The inspector will also check that outlets, fans, circuit breakers, and light fixtures are all working properly.
The timeline depends on the market and the contract, but within 5-10 business days of both parties accepting the deal is standard. Occasionally , buyers may waive their right to an inspection in order to make their deal more appealing to the seller. If you have a current copy of your personal credit report, simply enter the report number where indicated, and follow the instructions provided.
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Clear out clutter in spaces like the basement, attic, garage, and crawl spaces. Inspectors will need to get in there to check for moisture or damage. If they can’t access it, they’ll mark it as “uninspectable” which could prolong the process. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction.
So it’s important to prepare yourself and your home for this important step of the process. Asbestos is a building product that causes cancer, and it was used frequently in homes built prior to 1999. If your home was built before the late ’90s, you may want to have a special inspector look at your insulation and pipes to make sure your home is asbestos-free. Swimming pools come with a lot of complicated parts, including filters, pumps, and heaters, and general inspectors are not equipped to assess these. A home inspector will look at locks on doors and windows, but will not look at the alarm system during a general inspection.
Bottom Line: Termites Are Little, But Fierce
How you move forward really depends on the level of work that needs to be done and how sought-after the home is. Some sellers may be comfortable investing some money upfront to make the repairs or upgrades; others may prefer to forgo it altogether in exchange for a lower sale price. Either way, you'll want to make sure that all important areas of the home are clean and accessible for the home inspector. Failing to do so could result in an incomplete inspection report. While it isn't customary for the seller to attend a home inspection, the findings are still important.
Still, you’ll want your home inspector to help you separate the wheat from the chaff and point out any doozies. So ask him if there are any problems serious enough to keep you from moving forward with the house. Hopefully you also attended the actual inspection and could ask questions then; if so, the report should contain no surprises.
How to get a better home inspection report
But keep in mind that even the most prepared sellers can be surprised by what the inspection turns up. A typical home inspection takes a few hours for an average-sized house. The home inspector will go through the interior and exterior of the house to record any broken, defected, or hazardous issues. One other important distinction, mortgage lenders do not require a home inspection for buyers to obtain a home loan. The lender typically orders the appraisal, but requesting a home inspection is the buyer’s choice, and it’s highly recommended. Though many buyers choose to include an inspection contingency, the number often depends on the current market.
The bigger the square footage of the home, the more water heaters, toilets, doors, windows, and other components there are to inspect. Home inspectors are expected to go through attics, crawl spaces, closets, even rooftops in some cases, and all rooms of the house. Even if the seller offers to share their home inspection report or claims the house is pre-inspected, you'll want to arrange your own inspection so you can vet the inspector yourself. Home inspectors aren’t federally regulated, and they’re not even licensed in all states.
How long does termite treatment take?
However, if you see signs of termites, you should get your home inspected immediately. Although it is not necessarily a definitive sign of termites, cracked or bubbling paint can be a way to determine the presence of subterranean termites. When termites damage drywall, they create access for moisture and air to get between the paint and the surface, causing the paint to bubble or crack. When the weather becomes warmer, termites look to develop a brand new colony.
Termites, quite literally, want to make a meal out of your mansion. Your walls, beams, floorboards, decks, you name it—are all very tasty to them . Reasonable buyers will understand that no home is perfect — not even new construction. So, they should want to move the deal forward as much as you do.
When a house goes under contract, the MLS will show that it was a pending sale or under contract. The seller most likely will have to foot the bill for whatever turned up as a health or safety issue in the inspection. Wolfe adds that this is where a good real estate agent comes in handy because they can help with negotiations and make sure the seller is protected from unreasonable requests. Typically, the buyer and buyer’s agent are present during the home inspection, and often the seller’s agent.
Visible wiring must be in good condition, with no exposed splices, and cables must be secured and protected. Areas that aren't readily accessible, like the septic tank, won't be covered, either. A home inspection helps you make a more informed decision about the home you're considering buying. In addition to creating a detailed report about what they’ve uncovered during your inspection, a home inspector will also take photos of the areas in question. As much as possible, be cooperative with the home inspector because he or she may need your assistance during the home inspection.
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